Local Bus Services may be reduced in County Council cuts.

12.00.00am GMT Tue 16th Feb 2010

Proposals to go to consultation to reduce County Council subsided bus services throughout Northamptonshire have been approved by NCC's Cabinet. (See complete list attached)

Scot Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for South Northants said: " I am very concerned about the effect of the reduction of services:

· on routes 499 and 508, the Banbury to Brackley circular which is proposed to be reduced from a two hourly service to just three journeys per day.

· 86 & 87, the Northampton to Towcester circular which is proposed to be reduced from a two hourly service to only three journeys per day, this will include the loss of a peak hour service to Towcester

· The service no.89 from Potterspury to Milton Keynes is proposed to be reduced from an hourly service to a two hourly service. This also includes the loss of a peak hour service to Towcester on the Northampton - Potterspury - Milton Keynes service.

When the government are urging people to use public transport and cut their car journeys this does not seem the right way to go. This will hit those who live in the villages served by these bus services, particularly those who depend on buses to get around."

"I have very real concerns that local residents will find their ability to get to medical appointments or work will be severely affected by the cuts in service.

"Social exclusion is already something that affects so many villages through the lack of good transport links other than by car and does not back up the Councils much hyped environmental credentials

"I urge local bus users to write to their local county councillors to register their opposition to these proposed cuts."